Archive for category: News Posts

August 5, 2019 – Chicago, IL– Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, through its newly-formed food platform, Benestar Brands (“Benestar”), announced the acquisition of Evans Food Group (“Evans”) from Wind Point Partners. Evans is the world’s leading producer of pork rinds, with five manufacturing operations in the U.S. and one in Saltillo, Mexico.

Headquartered in Chicago, Evans is an international producer of branded, co-packed and private label pork rinds. Its diverse branded portfolio includes Mac’s, its largest branded offering and the #1 multi-outlet store brand for pork rinds in the US, alongside its other brands: Turkey Creek, Don Rudy, Cazo de Oro and Domingo’s. Pork rinds are one of the fastest growing snack items, bolstered by the emerging interest of consumers to add these products to their diets as a nutritional option. Consumers have discovered that pork rinds or “chicharrónes” are a snack that is rich in protein, gluten-free and contains no carbohydrates, which appeals to a variety of consumers, particularly millennials. Evans’ growth is also enhanced by strong demographic trends and the Company’s continuous innovation of its offerings, flavors and packaging.

Benestar, a Catalan word that translates as wellness or well-being, is an apt new platform name to represent a product like chicharrónes. Under Benestar, the Evans operations will continue to be uniquely positioned to capitalize on this rapidly growing and better-for-you snack category.

“Highlander has experienced rapid growth over the past five years, with assets under management growing to over $2 billion. Our strategy has been focused on developing verticals that enhance our financial performance and provide appropriate risk-adjusted returns. Food and beverage has been a focus and specifically the better-for-you, salty snack category,” stated Jeff L. Hull, President and CEO of Highlander. “We have developed a team to focus in this area and to identify outstanding opportunities to grow our presence in the food sector. We intend to make additional acquisitions around this strategy, both for Benestar and in other sectors of the food industry,” added Hull.

Highlander has been working closely with Carl E. Lee, Jr., who previously served as President and CEO of Snyder’s-Lance Inc before it was sold to Campbell Soup for over $6 billion in 2018. Mr. Lee will assume the President and CEO position at Benestar and lead the company and the Evans operations on a go-forward basis. Mr. Lee commented, “I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to partner with Highlander and the Evans team. This business reminds me of Snyder’s when I joined as CEO; a leading manufacturer and distributor in a fast growing category focused on a shift toward better-for-you snacks. There is tremendous potential within Evans, and I look forward to implementing some of the strategies we used in the past to bring Evans’ products and other snacks to more consumers across the US.”

Additionally, Jeff Partridge, a Managing Director that joined Highlander in 2017 and a seasoned food executive (having previously served as CEO of Truco Enterprises, the licensee for On the Border Tortilla Chips; CEO of Combs Produce; and as Vice President at The Coca Cola Company), commented, “This is a great transaction for our team. We have been actively seeking an investment in the snack category. Evans, along with what is sure to be excellent leadership from Carl Lee, is the perfect avenue. We are also pleased that Evans’ previous Chairman and CEO (and formerly President for Quaker Oats North America), Jose L. Prado, will join Benestar as Vice Chairman. I know our firm is the right owner for this asset and with our best-in-class team we will take Benestar to the next level through organic growth and acquisitions.” Mr. Partridge will serve as Chairman of Benestar and will work closely with Mr. Lee and Mr. Prado.

“This acquisition affirms Highlander’s focus on investing in high-quality, branded consumer product companies, including food. We have been diligent in targeting attractive brands with our consumer and food team and it is not every day that an asset like this is available. We are thrilled to acquire Evans and to assist in its growth trajectory. I am also excited about the potential of Benestar executing a ‘buy and build’ strategy in the snack food industry, as we target companies with strong growth potential and excellent brand equity. Benestar’s principals have executed dozens of transactions in the food and snack category and will be using their expertise to acquire both standalone businesses and carveouts,” reiterated Mr. Hull.

William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Evans. Antares provided senior financing, and Norwest Mezzanine Partners provided mezzanine debt and equity in support of the transaction.

About Evans
Evans is the leading manufacturer of pork rinds, serving US and international markets. The company is vertically-integrated and manages various brands, as well as co-packing, private label and pellet sales. Founded in 1947, the company is headquartered in Chicago. Evans currently operates six production facilities (Chicago, IL; Arlington, TX; Portsmouth, OH; City of Industry, CA; Thomaston, GA; and Saltillo, Mexico). For more information on Evans, please visit www.evansfood.com.

About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

July 10, 2019 – Beaverton, OR – Biamp Systems, a leading supplier of professional audio and video solutions based in Beaverton, Oregon, today announced the acquisition of Audioprof Group International from 3d Investors of Gent, Belgium. Audioprof is the parent company of Community Loudspeakers based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Apart Audio based in Antwerp, Belgium. Biamp is a portfolio company of Highlander Partners L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas.

Founded in 1968 by speaker design pioneer Bruce Howze, Community Loudspeakers has a long history of speaker design innovation. Today, Community is a well-established and respected manufacturer of a broad range of premium speakers targeting demanding indoor and outdoor applications including commercial, leisure, stadiums, and other large venues. Apart Audio is a strong competitor in audio solutions for small and mid-size venues, offering a broad array of speakers as well as amplifiers, mixers, controllers, and paging stations to make Apart a single vendor solution for its markets. Apart has a well-established business in Europe and only entered North America in 2018, a market in which Biamp’s extensive distribution system can provide an immediate boost.

Rashid Skaf, Biamp President, CEO, and co-Chairman commented, “I am tremendously excited to complete this transaction. Building a comprehensive lineup of speakers has been a priority as we move to position Biamp as a full line provider of professional audiovisual solutions. Acquiring Apart Audio and Community Loudspeakers was our preferred route to accomplishing this goal quickly with incredibly strong and respected brands. The many products added to our portfolio give us powerful positions in several key growth markets for Biamp. With this move, Biamp has clearly established itself as a leader in the pro AV market.”

The addition of Audioprof Group International comes just seven months after the company acquired Cambridge Sound Management, which made Biamp the world leader in sound masking systems. Biamp now offers a wide range of audiovisual solutions that facilitate communication and collaboration in conference rooms, lecture halls, auditoria, hospitality, retail and outdoor venues, as well as paging and notification for open areas like offices, concourses, stadiums, retail centers, and casinos.

Highlander’s Ben Slater, Co-Chairman of Biamp, added, “When we acquired Biamp in November 2017, we set out on an ambitious path. Using Biamp as a cornerstone, we aspired to become a complete-solution, global leader in the AV space. Along with organic expansion, which has been significant under Rashid’s leadership, we are targeting strategic acquisitions to help us achieve this goal. With its complementary suite of respected products and a strong international presence, Audioprof fits perfectly into this strategy. In adding both Community and Apart, Biamp takes a significant step towards a full AV offering to end users across venues and geographies. We proudly welcome the entire Audioprof team into the Biamp family.”

Lincoln International acted as financial advisor to Audioprof in the transaction. Regions Bank led a group in providing senior financing facilities in support of the transaction.

About Biamp Systems

Biamp Systems is a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems that power the world’s most sophisticated audio/video installations. The company is recognized worldwide for delivering high-quality products and backing each one with a commitment to exceptional customer service. Its broad, award-winning Biamp product suite can be customized and integrated in a wide range of applications, including corporate boardrooms, conference centers, huddle rooms, performing arts venues, courtrooms, hospitals, transportation hubs, campuses, and multi-building facilities. For more information on Biamp, please visit www.biamp.com. For more information on Apart Audio and Community Loudspeakers, please visit www.apart-audio.com and www.communitypro.com, respectively.

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with approximately $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

July 2, 2019 – Bucharest, Romania – Highlander Partners L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, today announced the acquisition of the majority stake in the Ares Group (“Ares”). Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bucharest, Ares is the leading private provider of interventional cardiology procedures in Romania, with 5 facilities today. Its medical team is composed of highly reputable interventional cardiologists and key opinion leaders from Romania and throughout Europe.

The founders of the business, Oren Iancovici and Iulian Plescan, will continue to serve in their Chief Executive Officer and Chief Development Officer roles, respectively. In partnership with Dr. Iancovici, Mr. Plescan and the rest of the existing Ares team, Highlander intends to accelerate growth by introducing new facilities around the country while also enhancing capabilities at existing Ares facilities. These efforts should significantly increase access to high-end interventional cardiology care for patients across Romania, which is currently limited.

Dr. Oren Iancovici, CEO and Founder of Ares, commented, “We believe that together with our new partners we will be strongly prepared to bring the business to the next level and expand our services to the entire country, while continuing to innovate in the field of endovascular medicine in Romania. Given the Highlander team’s extensive medical services investment expertise, we are convinced that we will have both a strong financial and strategic partner.”

Ben Slater, Director of Highlander Partners and Head of Highlander’s Romanian efforts, added, “We have spent two years assessing a variety of opportunities in Romania and are extremely pleased to announce our first investment in the country. Ares possesses all the qualities that we have been seeking. It is a market leading business led by an exceptional management team, participating in a space – private pay healthcare – that will become increasingly demanded as the Romanian economy continues to develop.”

Jeff Hull, President and CEO of Highlander Partners, added, “We are excited to combine Ares’ visionary founders with our local team, which has previously been deeply involved in several successful healthcare investments in Romania. We see tremendous growth potential in Ares and are equally motivated by its social impact.”

RTPR Allen & Overy acted as legal counsel of Highlander Partners and TS Partners as financial and tax advisor, while Toacse, Iavolschi & Associates acted as a legal counsel and Contradiction as financial advisor to Centrele de Excelenta Ares.

About Centrele de Excelenta Ares
Ares is the leader in the private interventional cardiology market in Romania, operating in five locations in Bucharest, Constanta and Cluj. It collaborates with a highly trained and experienced medical team, formed of leaders in cardiology from Romania and across Europe. Along with interventional cardiology procedures, Ares Centers also perform interventional radiology procedures. For more information on Ares’ medical team and procedures, please visit: https://medicina-interventionala.ro/en/

About Highlander Partners, L.P.
Highlander is a Dallas-based private investment firm with approximately $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience. Highlander Partners implements a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – May 10, 2019 – Truck Hero, Inc. (“Truck Hero” or the “Company”) today announced that Lund International Holding Company (“Lund”) has merged with and into the Company. Lund, based in Buford, Georgia, is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded automotive accessories for a full assortment of passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, CUVs and Jeeps, as well as the heavy truck category. The transaction terms were not disclosed.

“We are very excited to combine the two companies together to create one of the largest automotive accessory companies in the U.S.,” said Bill Reminder, President and CEO of Truck Hero, who will continue to lead the combined businesses. Lund is one of the automotive leaders in product offerings and brands in the accessories industry; which include AVS Ventvisors® and hood shields, AMP Powersteps®, Bushwacker fender flares, Roll-N-Lock tonneau covers, Lund nerf bars and running boards, among others. This transaction marks Truck Hero’s fifteenth acquisition since its formation in 2007 and is well aligned with the Company’s growth strategy of acquiring or merging businesses within the vehicle accessory market that further diversify its product portfolio into other attractive, complementary, high‐growth segments.

Mitch Fogle, current President and CEO of Lund, will become Chief Operating Officer of Truck and Jeep Accessories of the combined companies and the remaining Lund team will continue with the Company. Mr. Fogle stated, “We are extremely happy with this combination. Truck Hero is an outstanding company and combining our products and brands with theirs is the creation of the leader in almost all categories of truck, SUV and car accessories. We see significant opportunity to grow and be the one-stop shop for almost all automotive accessories.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Mitch, the Lund team and Highlander Partners to merge these two leaders in automotive accessories,” said Rich Zannino, a Managing Director at CCMP. “We believe that Mitch and his highly talented team can help assist Bill and the Truck Hero team to build an even stronger company.” Jeff L. Hull, President and CEO of Highlander Partners added, “We decided that the combination of Lund into Truck Hero was an outstanding opportunity to further enhance an already successful investment. We will still be a significant shareholder in the combined company and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Lund management and working alongside Bill and his team at Truck Hero, as well as CCMP, to continue to grow these businesses.”

About Lund InternationalLund International Holding Company is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded automotive accessories for a full assortment of passenger cars, light trucks and Jeep, as well as the heavy truck category. Its products include Ventvisors®, hood shields, Powersteps®, floor mats, fender flares, tonneau covers, storage boxes, nerf bars and running boards, among others. Lund offers the industry’s broadest range of functional body and appearance products that provide customers with ways to customize and personalize their vehicles under the brand names of Lund, AVS, Belmor, AMP Research, Rampage, Bushwacker, Roll-N-Lock, TonnoPro and Stampede. For more information about Lund, please visit www.lundinternational.com.

About Highlander Partners, L.P.
Highlander is a Dallas-based private investment firm with approximately $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience; including technology, basic manufacturing, food and beverage, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners implements a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.highlander-partners.com.

December 20, 2018 – Beaverton, OR – Biamp Systems, a leader in professional audio/video solutions and a portfolio company of Highlander Partners, L.P., today announced that it has acquired Cambridge Sound Management (“Cambridge”) from Gladstone Investment Corp. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, Cambridge is the world’s largest provider of sound masking technology. Sound masking helps protect speech privacy, reduce noise distractions, and increase acoustical comfort in offices and other corporate settings. A pioneer and the undisputed leading brand in sound masking, Cambridge has provided solutions to over 25,000 customers in 30 countries, including over half of Fortune 100 companies.

Operations will continue to be conducted from Cambridge’s existing facilities in Massachusetts and Georgia, and its employees will join the Biamp team. Meghann Ellis, newly appointed General Manager of Cambridge, commented, “We believe that Biamp is a perfect fit for our business and look forward to contributing to its continued success. Biamp’s broad reach into the commercial AV world will enhance Cambridge’s leading position and present us with access to significant new channels for growth.”

Ben Slater, Director of Highlander Partners, commented, “Cambridge fits squarely into some of the most pronounced trends in commercial infrastructure today: open and modern architecture, improving workplace conditions and productivity, and a heightened focus on privacy. Its position in the high-growth sound masking category is unparalleled and we are thrilled to welcome Cambridge into the Biamp family. This acquisition confirms our strategy of executing complementary add-on acquisitions that expand Biamp’s existing product offerings while continuing to invest in organic growth. We plan to leverage the strength of our brands and distribution capabilities to ensure both Cambridge and Biamp products reach an even broader audience throughout the vast professional audiovisual landscape. We continue to evaluate M&A opportunities and expect to make additional acquisitions going forward.”

In September 2016 Highlander added industry veteran Rashid Skaf, the former CEO of AMX, as a Senior Advisor to identify technology company opportunities; in November 2017 Highlander acquired Biamp and Mr. Skaf became President, CEO, and co-Chairman of Biamp. Mr. Skaf added, “The acquisition of Cambridge Sound Management unites two great brands in the professional audiovisual market. Together, we offer customers better access to industry leading solutions that manage sound and video to address a wide array of modern communications and collaboration challenges. It has been just one year since our acquisition of Biamp with the stated intent of using it as a platform to build a respected provider of comprehensive audiovisual solutions. This transaction is evidence of that strategy being implemented.”

Capstone Headwaters acted as financial advisor to Cambridge Sound Management in the transaction. Regions Bank and Fifth Third Bank, as joint lead arrangers, provided senior financing facilities and Norwest Mezzanine Partners provided mezzanine debt and equity in support of the transaction.

About Biamp Systems
Biamp Systems is a leading provider of innovative, networked media systems that power the world’s most sophisticated audio/video installations. The company is recognized worldwide for delivering high-quality products and backing each one with a commitment to exceptional customer service.

Biamp is dedicated to creating products that drive the evolution of communication through sight and sound. The award-winning Biamp product suite includes: Tesira® media system for digital audio and video networking, Devio® collaboration tool for modern workplaces, Audia® digital audio platform, Nexia® digital signal processors, and Vocia® networked public address and voice evacuation system. Each has its own specific feature set that can be customized and integrated in a wide range of applications, including corporate boardrooms, conference centers, huddle rooms, performing arts venues, courtrooms, hospitals, transportation hubs, campuses, and multi-building facilities.

About Highlander Partners, L.P.
Highlander is a Dallas-based private investment firm with approximately $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including technology, basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners implements a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

Dallas, Texas – December 3, 2018 – Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, today announced the sale of substantially all of the assets of Ascend Custom Extrusions LLC (“Ascend”) to Tower Extrusions, Ltd. (“Tower”). Tower is a leading manufacturer of fabricated aluminum extrusion products.

Ascend was a business Highlander greenfielded in 2010, and had diverse press capabilities and multiple finishing options, allowing it to create high-quality aluminum products for a variety of industries, including window & door, transportation, consumer durables, construction, and other industrial applications.

The sale represents the culmination of a deliberate strategy that Highlander and Ascend management put in motion in 2010 to greenfield an operation to take advantage of the rapid growth of population and construction in Texas and the surrounding region. Highlander and Ascend have expanded the operating capacity from one initial press to its current three presses to keep up with customer demand.

David Newby, current CEO of Ascend, said, “There is great opportunity for the resulting business to capitalize on strong market demand as the business will continue to benefit from significant demand for aluminum extrusions across a broad range of end markets.”

Mark Blanchat, Highlander Partner and Chairman of Ascend, said, “Highlander is very pleased with the performance of Ascend over the last eight years and believes this sale will broaden the product offering and capabilities for its customers in one of the strongest extrusion markets in the country.”

Tower, based in Olney, TX, expanded its capacity two years ago by purchasing the assets of the former Extruders in Wylie, TX. Tower is pleased to further expand its presence and capacity in Wylie with this purchase of the Ascend plant and its three extrusion presses.

Mark McClelland, Managing Partner and CEO of Tower, stated that this purchase “will enhance Tower’s capability to serve our long-term customers as well as new customers, providing Tower with much needed additional capacity”. Stan Guess, Tower’s VP of Sales and Marketing, stated, “Tower’s existing capability for anodizing and fabricating aluminum will enhance our ability to further service Ascend’s customer base.”

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company served as the exclusive financial advisor to Ascend in connection with this transaction.

About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2.0 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

About Ascend Custom Extrusions LLC
Ascend, founded in 2010 and based in Wylie, Texas, designed and manufactured custom aluminum extrusions. Along with custom extruded profiles, Ascend offered customers other value-add services including powder-coat painting, cut-back, punching, thermal fill and debridge, and drilling and welding.

About Tower Extrusions, LTDTower Extrusions, LTD is a privately held company established in 1977 and is a leading supplier of custom aluminum extrusions, fabrication and finishing services. The company serves the building and construction, transportation, consumer durable, electrical, machinery, and distribution markets. Tower has over 17 acres of under-roof manufacturing facilities to include a state of the art cast house, 8 extrusion presses, one of the largest production anodizing lines in the United States, and over 144,000 square feet of in-house fabrication. For more information on Tower and its capabilities, visit www.towerextrusion.com.

October 17, 2018– Dallas, TX – Highlander Partners, a leading middle market private equity investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, today announced the following changes to its leadership structure as part of a long-planned transition.

Jeff L. Hull has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2018, in addition to his current role as President and Managing Partner. Michael R. Nicolais will continue as Vice Chairman of the firm through December 31, 2019.

Mr. Hull has been heading Highlander’s North American private equity efforts for a number of years but will assume the duties and oversight of Highlander’s investments throughout Europe and Asia as well. He joined Highlander in 2009, after serving as CEO of several private equity backed companies. His focus has been on direct private investments in the U.S. and establishing Highlander’s very active strategy in middle market private equity transactions.

Mr. Nicolais co-founded Highlander in 2004 with Laurence E. Hirsch. He will continue to oversee several of Highlander’s existing portfolio companies and assist in add-on acquisitions associated with those companies, while also continuing to transition these responsibilities to other Highlander personnel.

Commenting on the transition, Mr. Hirsch, Highlander’s Chairman, expressed his appreciation to Mr. Nicolais stating, “Mike co-founded Highlander with me almost 15 years ago. I can’t thank him enough for what he has accomplished for me, my family and the people of Highlander. Mike built Highlander though immense personal effort; displaying unparalleled drive, tenacity and imagination. Simply stated, there would be no Highlander today without Mike.”

Mr. Hirsch added, “Jeff, after almost 10 years at Highlander, has impressed all of us with his creativity, deep operations knowledge and commitment to our people. He is uniquely capable of raising Highlander to even greater heights while further enhancing the special cultural environment that he and Mike have created.”

Mr. Nicolais commented, “I am very excited to see what new levels of success that Highlander reaches over the next few years. Larry, Jeff and I are very proud of what the firm has become, and we believe that its legacy will survive way beyond our years. It’s a very special place that not only has had incredible financial success, but also built a unique culture that transcends individuals and creates an environment that we believe is second to none. I can’t say enough about how proud we are of what has been created in a relatively short period of time.”

Mr. Hull added, “Mike and I have worked side by side focused on creating a different type of investment firm. In many ways our financial success has been unparalleled, but it’s the special culture and people that make the difference. It is bittersweet to see any succession and transition plan in motion, but we are both confident that Highlander’s success will continue, and we are very proud of what it has become today and what it will become in the future.”

About Highlander PartnersHighlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2.0 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

October 9, 2018 – Dallas, TX – Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, today announced the acquisition of SFERRA Fine Linens, LLC. Founded in Italy in 1891, and headquartered today in Edison, New Jersey, SFERRA is a luxury linens and home lifestyle company, with a leading consumer brand known for design, textile innovation, trusted quality, and craftsmanship.

SFERRA’s product portfolio today includes more than ten different categories, including bed, bath, table, and decorative accessories. The SFERRA brand is known for its fine Italian craftmanship and for sourcing premium natural fibers from the foremost global resources to spin and weave its luxury goods. The Company’s multi-channel distribution platform consists of over 800 home specialty boutiques, major luxury department stores, SFERRA.com, and select hospitality properties.

Mark Blanchat, a Partner at Highlander has been named as the newly-appointed Chairman of SFERRA; and Michelle Klein will continue in her role as CEO and President of the company. Of the acquisition, Highlander’s Blanchat commented, “This acquisition reiterates Highlander’s focus on investing in high-quality, branded consumer products companies and represents an opportunity for us to acquire an established luxury brand with a loyal consumer following due to its highly differentiated product offerings and superior quality. Luxury bedding has proven to be a stable segment of the market and is expected to continue growing over the foreseeable future as consumers correlate a better sleep experience to achieving improved health. There are tremendous growth opportunities for this business driven by strategic brand and product extensions designed to further increase awareness, along with continued growth in new and existing channels. We believe Michelle and her team are the ideal partners to take SFERRA to the next level.”

Jeff L. Hull, President and Managing Partner of Highlander, commented, “We are very excited to be partnering with SFERRA management in this transaction. All of us believe SFERRA has the potential to become the leading luxury linens provider globally, reaching into adjacent untapped home-goods categories. We are looking forward to implementing a selective “buy-and-build” investment approach and finding complementary M&A opportunities for this business in the luxury goods category.”

Michelle Klein, CEO of SFERRA, added, “We are excited about the new partnership with Highlander and will benefit from their resources and expertise in brand building. SFERRA currently has outstanding consumer awareness, and we are well positioned to continue our historical success. We’re looking forward to partnering with Highlander to help accelerate growth across the U.S. and internationally. Our team at SFERRA is eager to get started on our robust pipeline of new opportunities.”

Lazard Middle Market acted as financial advisor to SFERRA. Regions Bank and Fifth Third provided senior financing, and Norwest Mezzanine Partners provided mezzanine debt in support of the transaction.

About SFERRA

SFERRA is a leader in consumer luxury bed and bath linens and other home textiles produced in world-renown Italian mills. The company serves more than 800 home specialty boutiques throughout North America, along with Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. SFERRA maintains a showroom in New York open to the trade. For more information on SFERRA, please visit www.sferra.com.

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2.0 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

Dallas, Texas and Bucharest, Romania – July 18, 2018 – Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle-market private investment firm based in Dallas, announces a new office in Bucharest, Romania. This is Highlander’s second office in central and eastern Europe, after entering the Poland market in 2008. Ben Slater, who joined Highlander in 2016 and is based in Dallas, has been promoted to a Director in Highlander’s US private equity practice and will also serve as Head of CEE – Romania, overseeing the team of four investment professionals in Bucharest. Highlander Partners, CEE – Romania will be located at Charles de Gaulle Plaza, Charles de Gaulle Square no. 15, 16th floor, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania 011857.

“We are very excited to expand our presence in this region,” said Jeff L. Hull, President and Managing Partner of Highlander. “Establishing the Bucharest office reflects on our ongoing commitment to opportunities in this area and provides a local base from which to continue our investment activities. We see the same great promise in the Romanian market for private equity investments that we have seen in other central and eastern European countries and we aim to replicate our success here in Romania, as we have experienced in our Warsaw, Poland office.”

Highlander also announces several additional promotions and new hires. Stewart Baseley, who joined the firm in 2008, has been named Chairman, CEE – Poland. Mr. Baseley will oversee the activities in Poland, which continue to be managed by Dawid Walendowski and Artur Dżagarow, as Co-Managing Partners of CEE – Poland. Jeff Partridge, based in Dallas and an Operating Partner since 2017, has been named a Managing Director. Mr. Partridge’s focus is on the firm’s Food and Beverage strategies and investments. Bobby Koudelka, who joined Highlander in 2017 and is based in Dallas, has been promoted to an Associate. Lastly, John Rabenhorst has joined the firm as a Director in the Dallas office. Mr. Rabenhorst’s focus is on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain across all the portfolio companies. He most recently served as a Principal at A.T. Kearney.

“As Highlander continues to grow, it is important to find and recognize outstanding and talented investment professionals who can continue to contribute to our success,” added Mr. Hull. “We are very excited to announce these promotions and additions to our team.”

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2.0 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

Dallas, Texas – July 6, 2018 – Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle-market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, today announced its acquisition, through a newly-formed entity, of substantially all the assets of Queen City Candy, Inc. (“QCC”), a manufacturer of gummy confection products located in Greendale, Indiana. Founded in 1983, QCC expanded in 2015 into a state-of-the-art production facility with a newly-installed high-speed mogul and robust drying capabilities. The business presently manufactures gummies, jellies and fruit snacks. QCC produces both pectin and gelatin-based products and is SQF Level II certified.

Highlander continues to make investments in the confection industry. Most recently, Highlander acquired the trademark portfolio of ten iconic confection brands from Huhtamäki Oyj. Additionally, in the past two years Highlander has also acquired Gimbal’s, a leading manufacturer of gourmet jelly beans and gummy vitamins, and Hillside Candy, a leading manufacturer of organic, sugar-free and nutraceutical confections.

In connection with this transaction, Jeff L. Hull, President and Managing Partner of Highlander, commented, “We are excited about our acquisition of QCC. We believe the opportunity in the gummy confection and vitamin space will continue to grow at a significant rate. QCC offers outstanding manufacturing capabilities, with its cutting-edge manufacturing equipment and unique production capabilities. We believe that with Highlander’s resources and in collaboration with Bettera Brands, another Highlander portfolio company, QCC will be able to expand its product offerings and enter new markets, further accelerating the Company’s growth. QCC’s capabilities extend beyond regular confection products, and we believe that we can capitalize on the industry trends and the uniqueness of the Company’s assets while pursuing gummy vitamin and other confection and wellness strategies over the next few years.”

Alex Guiva, Partner at Highlander, added, “We have been very active; this is Highlander’s fourth investment in the confection space in the last two years and this is our third food deal this year. Having closed more than twenty transactions in the food space, we remain fully committed to the food and beverage categories, both finished consumer products and ingredients, and we continue seeking high-quality food businesses that have a strong market position, differentiated offerings and compelling growth opportunities.”

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2.0 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food and beverage, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

About Queen City Candy

Queen City Candy is a leading manufacturer of gummies, jellies, and fruit snacks. The Company operates from its production facility in Greendale, Indiana. For more information, visit www.queencitycandy.com.